Director: Noriyuki Abe
Starring: Yuki Matsuoka, Johnny Yong Bosch, Fumiko Orikasa, Michelle Ruff,
Running Time: 275 minutes
Certificate: 12
The last three episodes of the last collection were completely removed from the main plotline. So you would assume BLEACH Series 12 (actually Season 13 by the anime’s count) would jump back into that main story which left us on a cliffhanger…Nope! BLEACH is offering us an entire filler arc, because the show (as often happens) is actually catching up with the manga releases. Fortunately, this filler arc is actually better than the main plot being dragged out. This is probably down to the fact that the filler arcs have definitive beginning and ends, making them seem much more complete as individual stories.
Known as ‘Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale’, this series sees a stranger arrive and give physical form to the Soul Reapers’ Zanpakuto. Zanpakuto is the sort of spirit power that lives within their weapons and gives Soul Reapers much of their power. Having the Zanpakuto released in this way causes us to question the morality behind the Soul Reapers, and whether or not their power has been achieved or taken. There is certainly a lot of affecting dialogue which paints the Zanpakuto as slaves to their masters, which makes their fight much more relatable and understandable.
It’s a lovely arc for fans that have become weary from a series that often seems as though it isn’t going anywhere. Fans of the main plot may object to such a huge detour, but casual fans will be able to join the action straight away and follow the plot developments. Not only this, but you know they’ll be an end once the manga is far enough ahead to continue adaptation. Making the show accessible in this way means you will not get too lost in the convoluted mythology. With the Zanpakuto having had a presence since the beginning of the show, it also means that an immediate rivalry is established and the connection and betrayal clear. The dialogue is still extensive, but it needn’t be filled with dire exposition.
Finally we have the action sequences, which are beautifully animated but also include a new edge with certain Soul Reaper stripped of particular powers. It essentially removes the bizarre, and convenient, powers that often creep up as a quick fix. This may not be the most memorable arc, and I enjoy it more as a breather from the plot strands that are losing momentum. What it is though is a reminder that BLEACH can still hit those high notes of entertainment and intensity.
BLEACH Season 12 Part 1: Zanpakuto: An Alternate Tale is released on 28th October via Manga Entertainment.
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